School boards look for help with lost funds

Saturday

May 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

May means budget time for governments and school boards throughout Davidson County. Some governing bodies have already released their budgets while others will become public during the next couple of weeks. School boards typically approve their documents in early May, since they then go to the Davidson County commissioners for a final funding decision. The Davidson County and Lexington City school systems are seeking increases in local funding.

May means budget time for governments and school boards throughout Davidson County. Some governing bodies have already released their budgets while others will become public during the next couple of weeks. School boards typically approve their documents in early May, since they then go to the Davidson County commissioners for a final funding decision. The Davidson County and Lexington City school systems are seeking increases in local funding.The reason is simple: The systems are facing reduced funding from federal and state sources, so they must turn to the commissioners to make up some of the difference. The remainder comes from using fund balance, not funding open positions and other belt-tightening measures. A few years ago, commissioner candidates often listed education as their primary priority. Job creation has taken over the top spot for most, yet educating students should continue to be a focus. Commissioners have to weigh the schools' requests against other departments, but granting the school systems the desired funding would go a long way to mitigating the reductions from other sources and help to maintain a high level of educational instruction.Thomasville City Schools will soon see a new leader after superintendent Keith Tobin announced his plans to retire this week. Tobin will step down after five years in the top position, 29 years with Thomasville City Schools and 31 years in education. He mentioned the technology the system offers and the staff's efforts to prepare students for the future as two of his accomplishments. Smaller city systems face some challenges that larger, rural ones often don't, particularly with students who come from a wide range of backgrounds and often poor socio-economic conditions. School board members will seek someone who can successfully deal with these issues to become the new superintendent.Washington Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder this week said he'd never change the team's mascot despite protests from Native Americans. Some alumni of Central Davidson Middle School may have felt the same way about Cadets, but that nickname will be retired after this school year after a vote by the county board of education. The school will change its mascot to the Spartans, just like the high school. Solid arguments could be made for keeping or changing the mascot, but now is the right time due to the addition of volleyball and baseball teams next year plus the installation of a new gymnasium floor this summer.Once upon a time finding an apartment in Lexington could be a challenge. Those days are long past, and now two new complexes are being built off Forest Hill Road near U.S. Highway 64 West. Childress Vineyards is just a short distance away, but the area really hasn't taken off commercially despite the presence of the winery. Perhaps the new apartment complexes, which will feature 144 units, will spur some further development on that end of the city.